Ask Jerry Markbreit

If no defensive player lines up opposite the left offensive guard and the left offensive tackle, do those lineman still have to wait for the quarterback to throw a forward pass before they can start down field? -- Silvia, North Highlands, Calif.

It is a foul when an ineligible offensive player, including a T-formation quarterback, prior to a legal forward pass, advances beyond his line of scrimmage after losing contact with an opponent at the line of scrimmage.

This rule means that the offensive players are restricted from going downfield before the ball is actually thrown, whether or not there is a defensive player in their vicinity at the snap. If an ineligible legally blocks an opponent at the line of scrimmage and drives him downfield and loses the block, he must remain stationary in order to avoid a penalty for ineligible offensive player downfield. Remember the offensive ineligibles are restricted from the time the ball is snapped until it is thrown from advancing downfield. The defense is restricted from any contact with eligible receivers beyond the five-yard zone until the ball is touched by either team.

I know that during the kickoff after a score, either team can recover the ball after 10 yards. During a punt, as long as no receiving team player has touched the ball, if a kicking team member touches the ball, it's down where it is touched, and the receiving team retains possession. What are the rules on the free kick after a safety? Is it the same as a kickoff, or is it the same as a punt? Who gets possession should a member of the kicking team pick it up without a member of the receiving team touching it? (Through some strange turn of events.) - SSgt. Michael Simkins, Ft. Meade, Md.

You are correct with regard to recovering a kickoff after it has gone ten yards. During a punt that is illegally touched by a member of the kicking team prior to any touching by the receivers, the ball continues in play with the receiving team given the option of the result of the play or having the ball awarded to them at the spot of illegal touch. Even if the receivers fumble the ball on the return and the kickers recover, the illegal touch spot prevails and the receivers get the ball back.

A free kick after a safety is exactly the same as a kickoff, and all rules with regard to recovery by either team exists. The only difference is that the kicker may not use a kicking tee. Most free kicks after a safety are punted. It is unusual, but every once in a while an onsides kick is attempted by the punter and, even though it looks funny, the kickers may recover after the ball has traveled the necessary ten yards.

Bobby Wade returned a kick 34 yards, but an illegal-block penalty moved the ball back 15 yards from the point of the foul. Does Wade get credit for the 34 yards? -- Pat Riley, Chicago

Bobby Wade does not get full credit for the yardage. Let's say he returned a punt for 75 yards and a touchdown but there was a clip at the 10-yard line right before he was going to score. The ball is then moved back to the 25-yard line. Wade is credited with a 50-yard return.

Fifty-two seconds got added to the fourth quarter by mistake during the Patriots-Steelers game by the Pittsburgh timekeeper. But isn't the stadium clock unofficial and the official time kept by a ref on the field? -- Patrick Flynn, Boston

You are absolutely correct about the field clock not being the official game time. The official time is kept on the field by the line judge. The line judge's position is on the line of scrimmage, directly opposite from the head linesman. They both have similar duties with the exception of clock responsibility.

Retired after 20 years officiating HS and D-II. What is the limitation for QBs in shot-gun position prior to the snap? Example: Peyton Manning is at times, in motion (moving L to R and forward and backward) prior to and during the snap. Is the NFL pre-snap motion rule different than NCAA or is there a provision for QBs? -- Tim Steele, El Dorado Hills, Calif.

The rules with regard to movement by quarterbacks prior to and during the snap are the same under NCAA and NFL rules. The movement by NFL quarterbacks is legal, providing another back is not moving simultaneously. If the shotgun quarterback is moving forward at the snap, a foul for illegal motion will be called. Under both sets of rules, incidental movement by quarterbacks has always been allowed.

First of all, thanks for all the great years you served the NFL. You were (and still are) one of the best officials ever. Why isn't the whistle blown and play stopped when a runners forward progress is clearly stopped? It seems like that was called more in the past. Now, it seems as though defenders can gang up on a runner, stop his progress, and start ripping the ball out. Any comments? -- Marty Martino, Marcellus, N.Y.

Thank you very much for your kind words. My career as an NFL referee was a wonderful experience and it is nice to be remembered by a few fans.

The whistle is blown when forward progress is established; however, the official making the call must visually see the football before blowing. In many cases, the ball not being visible makes it impossible to sound the whistle. It is up to the officials to make sure that this is handled properly. The NFL officials are the best in the land, and they do a great job of running the games under very tough circumstances.

Johnny Grier, one of the finest NFL referees over the past 24 years, has retired. He has moved to the NFL officiating office as a supervisor of officials. He will now impart all of his years of experience to the current staff of officials.